Copied from a Facebook post: I have not tested but feel it May help many of us.

Dead Black Plates renewal process.

Do Not Get your car vinned or attempt to re-license.

Follow this process first:

To re-use your old Black Plates you need to ring this number:0800366988Email: reuseofplates@nzta.govt.nz with the following information:

They want photos of the platesPhoto of body tagProof the plates are from the vehicle like a photo of wof sticker or receipts for work done to the car with plates listed.And or ownership papers or bill of sale like a declaration etc.Your contact details

10 day process time or sooner.

IMPORTANT: Do not start the vin process or the plates will be disallowed for ever ie unusable forever.

Wait for LTSA to send you the ok with a number you are to give to the VIN agent like VTNZ or VINZ.